editorNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Richard Gonzales is NPR's National Desk Correspondent based in San Francisco. Along with covering the daily news of region, Gonzales' reporting has included medical marijuana, gay marriage, drive-by shootings, Jerry Brown, Willie Brown, the U.S. Ninth Circuit, the California State Supreme Court and any other legal, political, or social development occurring in Northern California relevant to the rest of the country. Gonzales joined NPR in May 1986. He covered the U.S. State Department during the Iran-Contra Affair and the fall of apartheid in South Africa. Four years later, he assumed the post of White House Correspondent and reported on the prelude to the Gulf War and President George W. Bush's unsuccessful re-election bid. Gonzales covered the U.S. Congress for NPR from 1993-94, focusing on NAFTA and immigration and welfare reform. In September 1995, Gonzales moved to his current position after spending a year as a John S. Knight Fellow Journalism at Stanford University. In 2009,NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Richard GonzalesWed, 10 Jan 2018 22:50:00 +0000Richard Gonzaleshttp://wjsu.org
Richard GonzalesUpdated at 7:10 pm. ET Former White House political strategist Steve Bannon has stepped down from Breitbart News Network, a conservative website for which he had served as executive chairman. The departure had been widely rumored and anticipated since Bannon was quoted in author Michael Wolff 's new book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, which was critical of President Trump. Breitbart CEO Larry Solov said, "Steve is a valued part of our legacy, and we will always be grateful for his contributions and what he has helped us to accomplish." "I'm proud of what the Breitbart team has accomplished in so short a period of time in building out a world-class news platform," said Bannon. But the end of Bannon's tenure at Breitbart came amid tension between the White House and the former strategist who had fashioned himself as the general leading the rebellion against the GOP establishment on Trump's behalf. Bannon was named executive chairman of Breitbart News in 2012. He joined theSteve Bannon Out At Breitbart Newshttp://wjsu.org/post/steve-bannon-out-breitbart-news
70111 as http://wjsu.orgTue, 09 Jan 2018 22:03:00 +0000Steve Bannon Out At Breitbart NewsRichard GonzalesIn deciding not to appeal court rulings, the Trump administration has paved the way for transgender people to enlist in the U.S. military starting Monday. The Department of Justice withdrew its legal challenge to several federal court rulings that blocked President Trump from banning transgender people from enlisting in the U.S. armed services. Pentagon spokeswoman Heather Babb said in a statement quoted by Reuters : "As mandated by court order, the Department of Defense is prepared to begin accessing transgender applicants for military service Jan. 1. All applicants must meet all accession standards." In July, President Trump tweeted that the United States "will not accept or allow ... Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity" in the U.S. military. Trump also cited "tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail." That announcement was designed to upend an Obama administration policy that would have allowed transgender enlistees. InU.S. Military To Allow Transgender Recruits After Trump Administration Drops Appealhttp://wjsu.org/post/us-military-allow-transgender-recruits-after-trump-administration-drops-appeal
69806 as http://wjsu.orgSat, 30 Dec 2017 06:46:00 +0000U.S. Military To Allow Transgender Recruits After Trump Administration Drops AppealRichard GonzalesReality intruded into the land of fantasy—Disneyland, that is—as a failed transformer interrupted power to more than a dozen rides in two areas of the park for about an hour. The power outage which occurred at about 11 a.m. knocked out rides in Mickey's Toontown and Fantasyland, but no one was hurt, according to a Disney spokesperson. An unknown number of holiday visitors were escorted off of the attractions, reports the Los Angeles Times . Park officials said that a majority of the rides were back online within about an hour. Others remain offline, but power is expected to be fully restored by Wednesday, a park official told the Associated Press. The Southern California attraction is at near capacity during the holiday week. Park officials say they do not anticipate ride refunds. Copyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.Disneyland Power Outage Knocks Rides Offlinehttp://wjsu.org/post/disneyland-power-outage-knocks-rides-offline
69734 as http://wjsu.orgThu, 28 Dec 2017 08:54:00 +0000Disneyland Power Outage Knocks Rides OfflineRichard GonzalesUpdated at 10:55 p.m. ET California fire officials say the massive Thomas Fire has claimed the life of a firefighter. The body of Cory Iverson, a 32-year-old father from Escondido, Calif., was driven out of the fire zone in a procession as firefighters lined the road saluting in respect. "I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident," Chief Ken Pimlott, the director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, tweeted earlier in the day. "Please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers and all the responders on the front lines in your thoughts as they continue to work under extremely challenging conditions." Officials said Iverson died north of the town of Fillmore in Ventura County. They released no other details pending an investigation. Iverson had been a firefighter with Cal Fire since 2009. He is survived by his wife, Ashley, who is pregnant, and their 2-year-old daughter. It wasFirefighter Dies in California Wildfire, Now The 4th Largest In The State's Historyhttp://wjsu.org/post/firefighter-dies-california-wildfire-now-4th-largest-states-history
69340 as http://wjsu.orgThu, 14 Dec 2017 22:48:00 +0000Firefighter Dies in California Wildfire, Now The 4th Largest In The State's HistoryRichard GonzalesHigh-ranking U.S.-based Volkswagen executive Oliver Schmidt has been sentenced to seven years in prison and ordered to pay a $400,000 fine for his part in a decade-long diesel-emissions cheating scandal. Schmidt was the chief of Volkswagen's engineering and environmental office in Michigan. In August, he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud the federal government and violation of the Clean Air Act by participating in a scheme to circumvent federal emissions tests with rigged devices in diesel cars. Federal regulators uncovered the plot in 2015. Volkswagen already has admitted guilt to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, customs violations and obstruction of justice, as well as violation of the Clean Air Act. The German company has paid more than $20 billion in fines and settlements. In a letter to U.S. District Judge Sean Cox of Detroit, Schmidt acknowledged his guilt. Reading a written statement in court, Schmidt broke down saying, "I made bad decisions and forSenior Volkswagen Executive Sentenced In Diesel-Emissions Scandalhttp://wjsu.org/post/senior-volkswagen-executive-sentenced-diesel-emissions-scandal
69045 as http://wjsu.orgWed, 06 Dec 2017 23:01:00 +0000Senior Volkswagen Executive Sentenced In Diesel-Emissions ScandalRichard GonzalesUpdated at 8:10 p.m. ET The U.S. Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to fully enforce its revised ban on allowing entry to the United States by residents of eight countries while legal challenges are heard by a federal appeals court. Six of the countries — Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Chad and Somalia — are majority-Muslim nations. The other two are North Korea and Venezuela. The announcement that the high court sided with the administration, which had requested a lifting of lower courts' rulings preventing full enforcement of the travel ban, came in a terse order without explanation of its reasoning. The justices also said that they expect the Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to issue its ruling "with appropriate dispatch." Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor were dissenting votes. Two appeals courts, the 9th and 4th circuits, are scheduled to hear arguments in separate cases challenging the travel ban this week. So far, federal judges in Maryland andSupreme Court OKs Trump Travel Ban Pending Lower Court Rulingshttp://wjsu.org/post/supreme-court-oks-trump-travel-ban-pending-lower-court-rulings
68952 as http://wjsu.orgMon, 04 Dec 2017 22:41:00 +0000Supreme Court OKs Trump Travel Ban Pending Lower Court RulingsRichard GonzalesUpdated at 6:40 p.m. ET A federal court has denied a request for a temporary restraining order sought by an Obama-era appointee seeking to block the Trump administration from assuming control of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly is a victory for President Trump, who appointed White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney to take charge of the CFPB after the resignation of its previous director, Richard Cordray. Cordray had attempted to appoint Leandra English, the CFPB's deputy director, as his successor. That move set the stage for a power struggle with the White House over who will run the federal agency designed to represent consumers in disputes with major financial institutions over issues such as credit cards, checking accounts and debt collections. English sued, asking a judge for an order blocking Mulvaney from taking over the CFPB while the case is adjudicated. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who spearheaded theTrump Wins Opening Round In Legal Battle Over Consumer Watchdog Agencyhttp://wjsu.org/post/trump-wins-opening-round-legal-battle-over-consumer-watchdog-agency
68755 as http://wjsu.orgTue, 28 Nov 2017 23:19:00 +0000Trump Wins Opening Round In Legal Battle Over Consumer Watchdog AgencyRichard GonzalesCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: Joining the U.S. Army is a goal of many young adults, including several hundred who, as children, were brought to this country illegally. The Trump administration is considering eliminating or scaling back two programs that put them on the path to the military. NPR's Richard Gonzales introduces us to two young men, both hoping to make it to basic training before it's too late. RICHARD GONZALES, BYLINE: Harminder Saini was 6 years old when his parents brought him to the United States from India. The now 20-year-old college history major grew up in Queens, N.Y. HARMINDER SAINI: All these times, you know, growing up doing American things, you know, like celebrating Halloween, or going to the park or - it was just things - everything was normal. GONZALES: Like any American teenager, he hoped to earn some extra cash with his first job. So he asked his parents for his Social Security number. That's when they told him he was in thisThey're Undocumented And Want To Join The U.S. Army Before It's Too Latehttp://wjsu.org/post/theyre-undocumented-and-want-join-us-army-its-too-late
68610 as http://wjsu.orgThu, 23 Nov 2017 21:40:00 +0000They're Undocumented And Want To Join The U.S. Army Before It's Too LateRichard GonzalesUpdated at 8 p.m. ET TransCanada, the company that owns and operates the Keystone Pipeline, says that an estimated 210,000 gallons, or 5,000 barrels, of oil have spilled near the small town of Amherst, S.D. The cause of the leak is under investigation, according to the company's website . TransCanada crews detected a drop in pressure at about 6 a.m. CT Thursday morning and shut down the pipeline, which runs from Hardesty, Alberta, to Cushing, Okla., and Wood River/Patoka, Ill. Amherst is about 200 miles north of Sioux Falls, S.D., and about 25 miles from the state's border with North Dakota. The conduit is not the controversial and long-delayed Keystone XL Pipeline that TransCanada is still shepherding through the approval process. But as NPR's Jeff Brady reports, the spill comes at a sensitive time for TransCanada. "Regulators in the neighboring state of Nebraska are expected to announce a decision on the company's proposed Keystone XL pipeline next week. The project and its routeKeystone Pipeline Oil Spill Reported In South Dakotahttp://wjsu.org/post/keystone-pipeline-oil-spill-reported-south-dakota
68385 as http://wjsu.orgThu, 16 Nov 2017 23:29:00 +0000Keystone Pipeline Oil Spill Reported In South DakotaRichard GonzalesUpdated 12:01 a.m. ET The Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 of the World Series, winning their first championship crown in the team's 55-year history (and 56th season). The Astros jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings and held on for the rest of the game watching the Dodgers squander multiple opportunities to score. "We held down a really tough lineup," said Astros pitcher Charlie Morton, who pitched four innings in relief, giving up the Dodgers' only run. He struck out four batters, walked one and earned the win. The losing pitcher was the Dodgers' Yu Darvish, who lasted only 1 2/3 innings, giving up four runs. Unlike other games in this best-of-seven series, which featured dramatic home runs and multiple lead changes, Game 7 was a relative sleeper. The Astros got off to a fast start in the top of the first inning, taking a 2-0 lead on a leadoff double by center fielder George Springer. He scored when third baseman Alex Bregman was safe at second on aHouston Astros Defeat Los Angeles Dodgers To Take World Series Crownhttp://wjsu.org/post/its-winner-take-all-game-7-world-series
67899 as http://wjsu.orgWed, 01 Nov 2017 22:38:00 +0000Houston Astros Defeat Los Angeles Dodgers To Take World Series CrownRichard GonzalesUpdated at 1:10 a.m. ET The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Houston Astros 3-1 in Game 6 of the World Series, evening the best-of-seven series at three games each and guaranteeing a Game 7 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers had trailed 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning when catcher Austin Barnes singled and Houston starter Justin Verlander hit L.A.'s second baseman Chase Utley. Center fielder Chris Taylor doubled to score Barnes. Shortstop Corey Seager's sacrifice fly scored Utley. Until then Verlander appeared to be in control of the game, holding the Dodgers to just one hit in five innings. The Dodgers added another run on a home run by left fielder Joc Pederson in the bottom of the seventh inning. For Houston, Game 6 was about their failure to capitalize on opportunities to get on the board. They scored their only run when Astros center fielder George Springer hit a home run off of Dodgers starter Rich Hill in the top of the third inning. The Astros threatened to scoreLos Angeles Dodgers Beat Houston Astros 3-1, Extend World Series to Game 7http://wjsu.org/post/astros-seeking-nail-down-world-series-game-6
67855 as http://wjsu.orgTue, 31 Oct 2017 23:38:00 +0000Los Angeles Dodgers Beat Houston Astros 3-1, Extend World Series to Game 7Richard GonzalesUpdated at 10:15 p.m. ET Actor Kevin Spacey's days portraying power-mad Washington politician Frank Underwood are drawing to a close with the Netflix announcement that the series House of Cards will end with the final season of 13 episodes debuting in 2018. The move comes a day after Spacey acknowledged an allegation that he tried to seduce teenage actor Anthony Rapp in 1986. Spacey said he didn't remember the encounter but offered his "sincerest apology" for "deeply inappropriate drunken behavior." Rapp was 14 years old at the time. In a tweeted statement , Spacey also wrote, "I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man." According to BuzzFeed , Netflix did not say whether the scandal affected its decision to end the series. But in a joint statement with Media Rights Capital, the two companies said that they were "troubled" by the allegations. "In response to last night's revelations, executives from both of our companiesNetflix Says 'House of Cards' Will End After 6 Seasonshttp://wjsu.org/post/netflix-says-house-cards-will-end-after-six-seasons
67809 as http://wjsu.orgMon, 30 Oct 2017 23:41:00 +0000Netflix Says 'House of Cards' Will End After 6 SeasonsRichard GonzalesUpdated 12:40 a.m. ET The Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, taking the series lead with two wins over the Dodgers. The Astros relied on early scoring and a gutsy relief effort by right-hander Brad Peacock who came in for starter Lance McCullers with one out in the sixth inning and held the Dodgers without a hit for 3 2/3 innings. He struck out four and surrendered a walk. McCullers went 5 1/3 innings, giving up three runs and four hits for the win. With their victory tonight, the Astros are 7-0 in their home park in this postseason. Houston got on the score board first by opening the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run by first baseman Yuli Gurriel, followed by a double by right fielder Josh Reddick. Designated hitter Evan Gattis walked. A hard-hit single by left fielder Marwin Gonzalez scored Reddick. Catcher Brian McCann followed with another single, scoring Gattis and making the score 3-0. TheHouston Astros Beat The Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 In Game 3 Of World Serieshttp://wjsu.org/post/houston-hopes-its-home-field-works-against-los-angeles-game-3-world-series
67731 as http://wjsu.orgFri, 27 Oct 2017 23:45:00 +0000Houston Astros Beat The Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 In Game 3 Of World SeriesRichard GonzalesThe Houston Astros won a wild 11-inning seesaw battle beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 in Game 2 of the World Series. Astros center fielder George Springer smacked a two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning, silencing fans at Dodger Stadium after their team had tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the 10th inning. The Dodgers struck back again in the bottom of the 11th with a solo homer by pinch hitter Charlie Culberson. But that was all the Dodgers could muster against Astros reliever Chris Devenski. The Astros' victory ties the series at one game apiece. The action now moves to Houston, where the Astros have not lost a game in this postseason. Game 3 will be played Friday night. "We're never out of it and we have a lineup that's really scary when it's on," said Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, who had three hits and two RBIs. The Dodgers looked like they were headed to victory after seven innings, when they led the game 3-1. Those three runs came off Astros ace Justin VerlanderAstros Beat Dodgers 7-6 To Tie The 2017 World Serieshttp://wjsu.org/post/houston-astros-looking-first-win-2017-world-series-game-2
67647 as http://wjsu.orgWed, 25 Oct 2017 23:31:00 +0000Astros Beat Dodgers 7-6 To Tie The 2017 World SeriesRichard GonzalesUpdated 11:50 p.m. ET The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Houston Astros 3-1 in Game 1 of the 2017 World Series in Los Angeles on the strength of superior pitching and timely home runs. The Dodgers got a strong performance by their ace, Clayton Kershaw, who struck out 11 batters over seven innings, surrendering only one run on three hits. He walked none. "It was a special night for Clayton," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said about his three-time Cy Young Award winner. Kershaw said he really couldn't tell the difference between any other postseason start and a World Series start. "But it definitely feels good to say it was the World Series and feels good to say we're 1 and 0," he said. The Astros' starter, Dallas Keuchel, pitched almost as well. But the Dodgers' three runs came on pitches Keuchel would probably like to pull back. The Dodgers drew blood in the bottom of the first inning when center fielder Chris Taylor smacked Keuchel's first pitch deep into the left field seats. Down by aDodgers Beat Astros 3-1 In Game 1 of The 2017 World Serieshttp://wjsu.org/post/2017-world-series-kicks-tonight-los-angeles
67597 as http://wjsu.orgTue, 24 Oct 2017 22:58:00 +0000Dodgers Beat Astros 3-1 In Game 1 of The 2017 World SeriesRichard GonzalesThe Federal Aviation Administration has issued a new regulation restricting unauthorized drone operations over 10 Department of Interior sites, including the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore. The announcement Thursday says the two federal agencies "have agreed to restrict drone flights up to 400 feet within the lateral boundaries" of the following sites: Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York Boston National Historical Park (U.S.S. Constitution), Boston Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia Folsom Dam, Folsom, Calif. Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, Ariz. Grand Coulee Dam, Grand Coulee, Wash. Hoover Dam, Boulder City, Nev. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, St. Louis Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, S.D. Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, Calif. The announcement says the action comes at "the request of U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies." It says it marks the first time the FAA has restricted drone flights over Interior Department landmarks,FAA Restricts Drones Over Major U.S. Landmarkshttp://wjsu.org/post/faa-restricts-drones-over-major-us-landmarks
66779 as http://wjsu.orgThu, 28 Sep 2017 22:11:00 +0000FAA Restricts Drones Over Major U.S. LandmarksRichard GonzalesSeattle Mayor Ed Murray resigned Tuesday following the publication of new allegations that he sexually abused a cousin at a family home in the 1970s. In a statement , Murray denied the charge, but said that he is resigning effective the end of the business on Wednesday. "While the allegations against me are not true, it is important that my personal issues do not affect the ability of our City government to conduct the public's business," Murray said. Earlier in the day, the Seattle Times reported that 54-year old Joseph Dwyer, a cousin, said that Murray molested him for about a year in Dyer's mother's home in Medford, N.Y., in the mid-1970s. Dyer said he was 13 years old at the time and sharing a bedroom with Murray. Murray told the Times that Dyer's accusations stem from old familial antagonisms. "There's been numerous fights between our two families for many years, and much ugliness. I guess they see me down and out, and they want to finish me off," said Murray as quoted by theSeattle Mayor Resigns Amid Added Allegation Of Sex Abusehttp://wjsu.org/post/when-hurricanes-churn-little-hotel-becomes-something-more
66377 as http://wjsu.orgTue, 12 Sep 2017 22:20:00 +0000Seattle Mayor Resigns Amid Added Allegation Of Sex AbuseRichard GonzalesThe U.S. Supreme Court will temporarily allow the Trump administration to block many refugees from six mostly Muslim countries without direct familial ties in the United States from entering this country. In a brief order issued Monday, Justice Anthony Kennedy delayed implementation of a ruling issued by the 9 th Circuit Court of Appeals last week that would have allowed entry to refugees with formal ties to resettlement agencies here. Kennedy put that ruling on hold until lawyers opposing the travel ban can file their response to the administration's motion by noon Tuesday. The action comes after an emergency request to set aside the appeals court ruling from the Trump administration which is seeking to enact the broadest travel ban possible before the full Supreme Court hears arguments on its constitutionality on October 10. The appeals court also had ruled that grandparents and other relatives of people already living in the U.S. cannot be barred entrance under the president'sSupreme Court Backs Broad Enforcement Of Travel Ban — For Nowhttp://wjsu.org/post/supreme-court-backs-broad-enforcement-travel-ban-now
66341 as http://wjsu.orgMon, 11 Sep 2017 21:23:00 +0000Supreme Court Backs Broad Enforcement Of Travel Ban — For NowRichard GonzalesPresident Trump this week tweeted that young immigrants brought to this country illegally by their parents, also known as DREAMers, "have nothing to worry about." But a lot of DREAMers aren't buying it. (DREAMer is a term derived from a proposed bill called the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act.) In fact, they say the Trump administration gave them a new headache with a veiled threat to use the personal information they gave the government to deport them. Here's what happened. Before his tweet, the Trump administration announced that it would end the Obama-era program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, in March unless Congress takes action to salvage it. It would impact nearly 800,000 young immigrants brought to this country illegally by their parents. Sheridan Aguirre, now 23, was just 1 year old when his mother brought him to the U.S. from Mexico. She wanted to reunite with her husband, an agricultural worker. Aguirre says she had alwaysDACA Recipients Worry What The Government Will Do With Their Private Informationhttp://wjsu.org/post/daca-recipients-worry-what-government-will-do-their-private-information
66282 as http://wjsu.orgSat, 09 Sep 2017 21:50:00 +0000DACA Recipients Worry What The Government Will Do With Their Private InformationRichard GonzalesSeveral states are suing the Trump administration to block it from terminating the program protecting young immigrants known as DREAMers. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the Eastern District of New York, was brought by the attorneys general of 15 states and the District of Columbia. All are Democrats. It follows the administration's announcement Tuesday that it would phase out the Obama-era program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said DACA would end in March 2018 unless Congress takes action to salvage it. The move brought nationwide protests — and the lawsuit. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, among those suing, says the Trump administration violated the due process rights of the young immigrants by failing to safeguard the personal information they initially gave the government in order to enroll in DACA. He fears that the information will be used to locate and ultimately deport the current 800,000 DREAMers and theirStates Sue To Block DACA Termination, Citing Trump's 'Racial Animus'http://wjsu.org/post/states-sue-block-daca-termination-citing-trumps-racial-animus
66193 as http://wjsu.orgThu, 07 Sep 2017 05:11:00 +0000States Sue To Block DACA Termination, Citing Trump's 'Racial Animus'